Let’s be honest. We absolutely love eating out! Nothing feels greater than to bond with our loved ones over some appetisers while waiting for the main course to be served. Not to mention, desserts afterwards. Just thinking about it makes us hungry already.

Did you know that according to Khmer Times, the average urban Cambodian typically spends around $7 on each meal whenever he or she dines out? Eating out twice a day could easily add up to $5,000 / year!

Although we know that preparing food at home is a cheaper alternative, we love having the luxury and the convenience of dining at our favourite restaurant. With that being said, we’ve put together a few useful money-saving tricks to make sure we can have the best of both!

Take Advantage of Special Offers on Your Debit/Credit Card

Here’s a trick for you to enjoy most of your favourite meals for less. Before heading out, try scouting for exclusive deals or special offers provided by your credit or debit card provider. Most restaurants partner with local banks to offer you special promotions. Depending on what your debit or credit card offers are, you may receive reward points, freebies and (if you’re lucky) you’ll even earn cashbacks!

Make sure you keep yourself up to date and follow these promotions and offers through the bank’s website or app. Also, keep an eye out for promotions at the restaurants themselves, as they often put out a sign for discounts or a free dish for certain cardholders.

Lunch Hours & Happy Hour

It’s lunchtime and that means the lunch promo menu is out! Lunch menus allow you to eat like you were Alice in Wonderland. Most items during lunch are generally cheaper compared to any other time of the day. Lunch sets give many of us joy, especially with the extra side dish, drink or even dessert. Besides that, you can save more while trying a variety of food when you lunch-out with your friends!

“But what if I’m a dinner person?”

Join the evening happy hour! Just like promotional lunch menus, happy hour menus often promote their drink and food specials to attract and fill up the restaurant before dinner time. This could be the best time to try out that expensive dinner entrée for a cheaper price. *wink*

So, call your best buddies, catch-up, and welcome the joy of sharing food! After all, sharing is caring and that’s what friends are for, right?

Skip the Drinks Section

Food lovers, listen up! Did you know that restaurants take advantage of the beverage menu? They make rather good margins by selling them at almost 3x the original price. That means an average can-sized coke can be sold for up to $5! Don’t fall into that trap! For this price, you could have ordered another delicious side. Spend your money on what’s really worth it, like that tasty lunch set menu we’ve mentioned earlier. Next time you’re feeling thirsty, a smarter option is to ask for a glass of water or to settle with bottomless refreshing tea that is being provided for free by most eateries in Cambodia.

Sharing is Caring (for Each Other's Pockets!)

Friends who save together, stay together. Another tip to save while eating out is choosing a place that’s known for serving up big portions. Why not share a meal or dessert with a friend? Splitting the food and the bill is better value for money for everyone as it guarantees everyone’s satisfaction and no one needs to break the bank. Who knows, by doing so you might even have extra cash for coffee or catch the latest movie afterwards!

Opt for Local Eateries and Street Food

While eating at posh restaurants can be greatly satisfying, you can say the same about our local eateries and street vendors. Not only do they serve up inexpensive savoury meals, the portions served are often large enough to accommodate everyone’s appetite. Next time you’re not in the mood to cook, head out and opt for a simple “family-style” meal with your family and friends at a local eatery.

As with everything in life, it’s always good to have balance. The above tricks can help you spend within your means without forgoing your favourite delicacies. Now we can all curb our cravings at our favourite eateries and indulge for less at restaurants.

Seems like balancing out our food budget is a win-win situation for both our stomachs and our wallets! Share these helpful tips with a friend and together we can all save while eating out.